Electric watch



Dec. 24, 1957 A. BEYNER 2,817,207

ELECTRIC WATCH I Filed April 26, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1` l l l l INVENTORAndr Begner wma/MW ATORNEY A. BEYNER ELECTRIC WATCH Dec. 24, 1957 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 26, 1955 i INVENTOR Andre Begner BY United2,817,207v Patented Dec. 24, 1957 ELECTRIC WATCH Andr Beyner, Neuchatel,Switzerland, assignor to Ebauches S. A., Neuchatel, SwitzerlandApplication April 26, 1955, Serial No. 503,946 Claims priority,application Switzerland May 7, 1954 8 Claims. (Cl. 58-28) The presentinvention relates to a watch comprising a driving balance theoscillations of which are sustained electrically.

This watch is characterized by an escape wheel connected with thecounting train of gears of the watch and subjected to the action of ajumper permitting the same to be rotated in a single direction, thiswheel carrying at its periphery equally spaced pins the axes of whichare parallel to the axis of the wheel, and by an escape spring driven bythe balance and executing an oscillating movement, the said springcarrying a projection cooperating with the said pins, the profile ofthis projection being such that for a direction of rotation of thespring, it drives the escape wheel, whereas for the other direction ofrotation, it is lifted by one of the pins against the action of thespring and slips on the said pin without turning the escape wheel.

The accompanying drawings show, by way of example, two embodiments ofthe electric watch according to the invention. There is only shown inthe drawings what is necessary for understanding the invention.

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the rst embodiment, seen along the line I-Iof Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line Il-ll of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a detail, at an enlarged scale.

Fig. 4 illustrates a diagram of the electric circuit sustaining theoscillations of the balance.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the second embodiment, seen along the lineV-V of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken along the line VI-VI of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional View of a detail, at an enlarged scale.

The electric watch shown in Figs. 1 to 3 comprises a balance 1 servingboth as the driving element and the regulating element of the watch. Thebalance 1 is pivoted in the pillar plate 2 and in the balnace cock 3. Onthe balance staff 4 there is xed a collet 5 to which is attached theinner end of a hair spring 6 of usual type. The outer end of the hairspring 6 is fixed to the balance cock 3, for instance by means of astud. A regulator 7 of conventional construction, carrying pins 7a,enables the active length of the hair spring 6 to be adjusted in a knownmanner.

A movable three-armed armature 8 is secured to the balance stati 4. Itcooperates with the pole shoes 9 of an electromagnet provided with acoil 1l) of the electric circuit shown in Fig. 4. It is a motor withaxial airgap, the operation of which is the Same for both directions ofrotation of the balance 1. The coil 10 is connected on the one side to abattery 11 (Fig. 4) and on the other side to a switch or interrupter 12,described later, which is connected to the battery 11 and to the earth.The balance steif 4 carries a ring 13 having a lug 14 adapted tocooperate with a contact lamella 15 connected to the coil 10. Theelectric circuit for sustaining the oscillations of the balance 1comprises the following elements: negative pole of the battery 11, coil10, contact lamella 15, lug 14, balance staff 4, collet 5, hair spring6, earth, positive pole of the battery 11. The interrupter 12 is formedby the elements 14 and 15. Therefore, the balance 1 receives one impulseat each half-oscillation. The impulse is given almost completely afterthe passage of the balance through the position of equilibrium.

On the balance staff 4 there is further fixed a plate 16 of a generalrectangular shape. The plate 16 carries a spring 17 which will be calledhereinafter escape spring. The spring 17 has the shape of a rectanglewith rounded small sides and has in its central portion a rectangularopening. It is xed to the plate 16 by means of a rivet 18 placed nearthe small side of the plate 16 which is remote from the balance staff 4.Owing to this arrangement the escape spring 17 can be lifted withrespect to the plate 16 on the side of the stati 4 opposite to the rivet18 vbut cannot move downwards. At its end opposite to the rivet 18 thespring 17 carries on its lower face a stud 19 which is shown moreclearly in Fig. 3. In the stud 19 is fitted a driving member 20preferably of ruby. The member 20 is shaped as a pallet jewel, i. e. itslower face 21 is inclined. The face 22 of the member 20 is almostparallel to the axis of the stud 19. The small angle which it makes withthis axis is provided for a reason given below.

An escape wheel 23 is arranged near the balance statt 4. It is pivotedin the pillar-plate 2 and in a small bridge 24. The wheel 23 has gulletteeth 25 and carries pins 26 the axes of which are parallel to thespindle 27 of the wheel 23. The number of the pins 26 is equal to thenumber of the teeth 25. These pins may be forced into the wheel 23 or beformed integral with the latter by a dieing or swaging process. Thedistance between the spindles 4 and 27 is chosen such that the drivingmember 20 may cooperate with the pins 26 of the escape wheel 23. Ajumper 28, carried by a metallic leaf 29 fixed to the frame of thewatch, cooperates with the teeth 25 of the wheel 23 and allows thelatter to be rotated only in one direction. The jumper 28 is made of aninsulating material, for instance of ruby.

On the spindle 27 of the escape wheel 23 is keyed a pinion 30, calledescape pinion, which meshes with a seconds wheel 31 rigidly fixed to aseconds pinion 32. The spindle 33 of the pinion 32 is pivoted in thepillar plate 2 and in the train wheel bridge 34. The runners 31 and 32control the hands of the watch. They belong to the normal gear train ofan electric watch and, therefore, the other parts of this gear trainwill not be described.

The electric water as described and illustrated operates as follows:

Let us first suppose that the balance 1 rotates in the clockwisedirection of Fig. l so that in Fig. 3 the stud 19 moves from right toleft. The flank 22 of the driving member 20, therefore, comes intocontact with one of the pins 26 of the escape wheel 23. Thus, the member20 turns the wheel 23 by a certain angle in the counterclockwisedirection of Fig. l until the contact is broken between the member 20and the said pin 26, owing to the diverging movements of these members.The angle by which the wheel 23 has been turned is such that the tip ofone of the teeth 25 has passed beyond the apex 35 of the jumper 28, andtherefore this jumper completes the rotation of one angular pitch of theescape wheel 23. rThe same jumper 28 keeps the wheel 23 unmoved betweentwo successive displacements of same. The balance 1 then effects itsfirst arc of supplementary oscillaaslaaov 3 tion. Upon the return motionof the balance 1 under the action of the hair spring 6 the inclined ank21 of the member 20 comes into contact with one of the pins 26 of thewheel 23. Asthe spring 17 is only fixed at 18,

yit can be lifted on the opposite side, i. e. on the side of the member20, as already explained. The inclined flank 21 of the member Ztl canthus slide on the pin 26 and is lifted more and more against the actionof the escape spring 17, until it escapes the pin 26 and falls againinto its initial position under the action of the spring 17. Owing tothe provision of the jumper 28 the escape wheel 23 is not driven. Thebalance 1 then effects the second arc vof supplementary oscillationuntil it comes back into its initial position under the action of thehair spring 6, and the cycle described is now repeated. In Fig. l theparts of the escapement are represented in the position corresponding tothe moment when the balance 1, turning in the counterclockwisedirection, is about to bring the lower face 21 of the member 20 intocontact with one of the pins 26 of the wheel 23.

The reason why the face 22 preferably makes a small angle with the axisof the stud 19 is the following: on the half-oscillation during whichthe balance 1 drives the escape wheel 23, the member 20 strikes rathersharp` ly against the pin 26 and it may happen that the spring 17somewhat yields and is lifted on the right-hand side of Fig. 3. Themember 20 is then slightly rocked and its flank 22 tends to becometemporarily vertical, i. e. parallel to the axis of the pin 26. However,the driving member 20 might also be fixed to the stud 19 so that itsface 22 be parallel to the axis of the stud 19. Since the member 20 ismade of an insulating material (for instance a jewel) it is notnecessary to insulate the escape wheel.

The second embodiment illustrated in Figs. to 7 mainly differs from thefirst example in that the escape spring 17, instead of being fixed to aplate carried by the balance staff, is supported by an intermediatemember which will hereinafter be called leven arranged between thebalance and the escape wheel.

In order to simplify the drawings, the motor 9, and the upper portion ofthe balance staff 4 are not illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, but it is tobe understood that these parts are identical with those shown in Figs. land 2.

The balance staff 4 carries a large roller 36 provided with a metallicimpulse pin 37 extending downwards, as well as a Small roller 38 havinga cut-out part 39.

An insulating plate 40 obtained by molding is fixed to the pillar-plate2 by means of two screws 41. Into the plate 40 is forced a long pin 42on which is freely mounted a sleeve 43 closed and rounded at its upperend. The lower end of the sleeve 43 rests on the plate 40. The `sleeve43 is rigidly fixed to a lever 44 capable of effecting oscillations theamplitude of which is limited by two limiting pins 45 forced into theinsulating plate 40.

The lever 44 has a general rectangular shape which is similar to that ofthe plate 16 of the first embodiment. It carries an escape spring 17similar to that described above. The spring 17 is secured to the lever44 by means of a pin 46 which also yserves the purpose of maintaining afork-shaped contact piece 47 adapted to cooperate with the impulse pin37 carried by the large roller 36. The pin 46 has a projection forming asafety pin or guard pin 48 cooperating with the small roller 38 in orderto prevent overbanking of the lever 44. The escape spring 17 is thusclamped between the lever 44 and the contact piece 47 and since it isfixed only at this place to the lever 44, it can be lifted at itsopposite end but cannot move in the reverse direction.

A pin 49 is xed to the lever 44 between the sleeve 43 and the pin 46. Itis adapted to cooperate with a lever jumper Si) which is insulated withrespect to thc movement frame.

At its end remote from the pin 46 the escape spring 17 has a projectionobtained by swaging or pressing, extending downwards and having avertical face 51, i. e. perpendicular to the plane of the spring, and anoblique face 52. This projection 51, 52 is shown in detail in Fig. 7.The function of this projection is similar to that of the member 20shown in Fig. 3.

A spring leaf 53 insulatingly mounted on the frame and connected to thecoil 10 bears with its free end against the rounded end of the sleeve 43so as to maintain axially the lever 44.

The escape wheel 23 is similar to that of the first embodiment. However,it is here mounted on an insulating ring 54, for the projection 51, 52of the spring 17 is conducting, contrary to the ruby member 20. The geartrain connecting the wheel 23 with the hands is identical with thatdescribed above.

The circuit for sustaining the oscillations of the balance 1 isdifferent from that of the first embodiment. It comprises the followingelements: negative pole of the battery 11, coil 10, `spring leaf 53,sleeve 43. lever 44, Contact piece 47, pin 37, balance staff 4, collet5. hair spring 6, earth, positive pole of the battery 11. Theinterrupter 12 shown in Fig. 4 is here formed by the elements 37 and 47.

The operation of this second embodiment is as follows:

When the balance 1 rotates in the counter-clockwise direction of Fig. 5,i-ts pin 37 abuts against the entry of the contact piece 47 and rocksthe lever 44 in the clockwise direction, against the action of the leverjumper Si) which assists the safety pin 48 in preventing any overbankingof the lever 44. The vertical flank S1 of the projection of the escapespring 17 comes into contact with one `of the pins 26 of the wheel 23and drives the latter by one angular pitch in the counter-clockwisedirection of Fig. 5. When the balance 1 has effected its first arc ofisupplementary oscillation and comes back in the clockwise directionunder the action of the hair spring 6, the pin 37 rocks the lever 44 inthe counter-clockwise direction of Fig. 5 so that now the oblique ank 52of the projection of the spring 17 comes into contact with one of thepins 26 of the wheel 23. The spring 17 is thus lifted by the pin 26until the projection 51, 52 escapes the pin 26, the spring 17 thentaking again its initial position. The escape wheel 23 is not driven, asit is retained by its jumper 28. The vbalance 1 then eifects its secondarc of supplementary oscillation and comes back into its initialposition under the action of the hair spring 6, and the cycle describedbegins again. in Fig. 5 the parts of the escapement are represented inthe position corresponding to the moment when the balance 1, rotating inthe clockwise direction, is about to rock, by means of the pin 3'7, thelever 44 in the counter-clockwise direction.

The arrangement of the second embodiment offers some advantages over thefirst embodiment:

(a) The angular velocity of the lever 44 may be rendered smaller thanthat of the balance 1;

(b) The shock of the projection Si., 52 against the pins 26 of theescape wheel 23 is less violent and the angular Velocity of the escapewheel 23 also decreases to a certain extent;

(c) The inertia effects are reduced so that it is possible to choose aweaker escape jumper It is of course possible to combine in differentmanners the elements of both illustrated embodiments. Thus, for example,the driving member 2G fitted in the stud 19 (Fig. 3) may be replaced bythe swaged projection 51, 52, provided that the escape wheel 23 ismounted on an insulating ring 54. In a similar manner, in the secondembodiment, the swaged projection 51, 52 may be replaced by a rubymember 20 and then it is no longer necessary to mount the wheel 23 on aninsulating ring 54.

The electric circuit for sustaining the oscillations of the balance 1,in the second embodiment, might also be modified so as not to includethc lever 44. It would suice to make the impulse pin 37 of an insulatingmaterial and to provide on the balance staff 4 a finger such as the lug14 (Figs. 1 and 2) cooperating with a contact lamella 15.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference tospecific embodiments thereof, i-t will be understood that otherembodiments may be resorted to without departing from the invention.Therefore, the form of the invention set out above should be consideredas illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

l. A watch comprising a driving balance the Ioscillations of which aresustained electrically, a hand-controlling gearing adapted to be rotatedalways in the same direction at each full oscillation of the balance, anescape wheel connected to the said gearing, a jumper holding the escapewheel in predetermined positions and allowing the latter to be rotatedonly in one direction, a support mounted for executing an oscillatorymovement controlled by the balance, an escape spring having two parallelarms extending on both sides of the axis of the said support in a planeperpendicular to the said axis and being interconnected at their ends,the said escape spring being secured at one end to the said support andresting on the said support over the whole length of its arms, the otherend of the said spring being disengaged from the support and carrying aprojection, the escape wheel carrying at its periphery equally spacedpins the axes of which are parallel to the axis of the escape wheel, thesaid projection adapted to engage the said pins, the prole of theprojection being such that for a direction of rotation of the spring, itdrives the escape wheel, whereas for the other direction of rotation, itis lifted by one of the pins against the action of the spring and slipson the said pin without turning the escape wheel.

2. A watch according to claim 1, in which the said support is rigidlyxed to the shaft of the balance.

3. In a watch according to claim 1, a lever swingably arranged betweenthe balance and the escape wheel and set into an oscillatory motion bythe balance, the said support being carried by the said lever.

4. A watch according to claim 1, in which the said projection is formedby a member made of insulating material, xed to the escape spring.

5. A watch according to claim 1, in which the said projection is formedby a swaged portion of 4the escape spring.

6. In a watch according to claim 3, a pin carried by the said lever anda jumper adapted to engage the said pin so as to hold the lever in itstwo end positions.

7. A watch according to claim 1, in which the escape wheel has gulletteeth engaged by the said rst-mentioned jumper.

8. A watch according to claim 7, in which the number of the pins of theescape wheel is equal to the number of the gullet teeth, each pin beingxed substantially in the head of one of .the gullet teeth.

References Cited in the tile of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS 410,554Great Britain May 24, 1934 648,393 France Aug. 13, 1928 923,788 FranceFeb. 24, 1947

